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Bayelsa Assembly Members Approve Monthly Life Pension For Themselves

The
controversial bill, sponsored by the leader of the House, Peter Akpe, which was
passed on the floor of the House, approved N500,000 post-service monthly
pension to the speakers of the assembly, while deputy speakers will receive
N200,000. Members are to get N100,000

The
Bayelsa State House of Assembly on Wednesday approved monthly life pensions for
all present and past members of the legislature.

The
controversial bill, sponsored by the leader of the House, Peter Akpe, which was
passed on the floor of the House, approved N500,000 post-service monthly
pension to the speakers of the assembly, while deputy speakers will receive
N200,000. Members are to get N100,000.

The
bill specifically provided that former lawmakers, including persons of Bayelsa
origin who served in the old Rivers State, would enjoy life pensions for their
services in the state as applicable to former presidents, vice-presidents,
governors and deputy governors across the country.

To
qualify for the speakership pension of N500, 000 monthly, the official must
have served for two years and above.

Meanwhile,
Bayelsans have condemned the development, calling it a regressive move and a
misplaced priority to further rob the people their common wealth.

A
resident, Fidel Boboye, described the move as greed in the highest places and
wondered why such political office holders with the wealth and money they had
amassed still awarded life pensions to themselves.

Another
resident Preye Alegbe, said: “Is this not too much for these persons even as
there are many graduates out there without good jobs? Why can’t the legislature
channel these legislations to areas where the younger generations can benefit
more?”

It would seem from available accounts that the earliest form of Western-style
health care in Nigeria was provided by doctors brought by explorers and traders
to cater for their own well being.[2] The services were not available to the
indigenes.